When the autumn rains arrive, the enigmatic flying ants begin to come out of their little holes. Do you know what they are? In this post you will learn everything about them, what the flying ants are, why they come out and much more.
What are flying ants?
They are a particular species of insects, and can even be found in any species of ants, since they exist in all classes, what really identifies them are the wings, despite this, not all the ants in a colony have wings.
Other denominations in which they are called are: reproducers, swarm ants and/or winged ants, within their main characteristics we have:
- They have an antenna that articulates enough to get into small holes and dig their anthill.
- It has a slim waist.
- Very narrow chest.
- Hind wings smaller than those carried forward.
- They feed on leaves, fruits, mushrooms, vegetables, meat from dead animals and any type of insect. These are some things that ants eat, but it depends on what species it is. Therefore, the question may arise What do ants eat?
For these qualities they are differentiated from other types of insects such as termites. It should be noted that the wings in this particular type of ant are due to a process that occurs precisely while mating is maintained, which is essential for the life and reproduction of this species of ant.
The interesting thing about the queen flying ant is that its function is only to mate and lay the eggs of a colony, on the other hand it would also be attractive to know the javanese rhinoceros, which has excellent qualities for its reproduction.
Season of the flying ants
When autumn arrives and with it the first rains, the winged ants vacate the anthill, with the purpose of building new anthills, being that when this time happens many of the male ants die, however the flying ants that they manage to raise the nuptial flight, they manage to find a suitable place to start a new anthill, they abandon their wings and the story begins again.
The sectors where the ants reside, is large enough, since they survive any type of climate, they can be forests, caves, jungles, deserts, the only area where they cannot live is the North Pole, since they cannot stand the cold.
They prefer dark places, and if they are hidden better, the ideal is that there is earth or sand, if it is better wood, and if this space is close to vegetation to feed, it will be perfect and the ants with wings will be completely happy.
The famous nuptial flight
According to scientists specialized in the study of ants, they have reported that flying ants do not have much difference from other ants, however the mating stage is what distinguishes them from others, since for some of these ants it is when they develop the wings, the sexual act can last all day and can be done with the entire group of ants.
The male gender ants initially make visual contact in search of a place where mating can occur, and where most of the males are is an ideal place, when they get the space, they proceed to secrete pheromones so that by smell the When the females come, after consummating the mating, the females begin to locate a place to create their new colony of ants. When they find it, they lay their eggs and prepare to take care of them. To complete the role of mother, they pluck their wings.
The newborn ants with wings, will fulfill the function of being the workers, because they are the smallest and weakest, they must work immediately for the colony, looking for food, others expand the home and others take care of their brothers who still remain in the eggs, the behavior of the Parrot it is similar in terms of the work of searching for food when living in open spaces.
Why are the males the first to die?
Most of the time the males die immediately after copulation; but instead the female wings are still alive, and if they live they fly to places with altitude to form their new colony, they dig the hole where they will place their new eggs, they take the place of the queen, they lose their wings and they dedicate themselves to raising their young. eggs per year, thus forming a new anthill.
The departure of all the flying ants
To fulfill all the functions of the anthill and also with the home, it is necessary to fly and synchronize the nests of the flying ants, since through these exits, there is a greater chance that the queen will meet another male. from a neighboring anthill and can mate and reproduce, making another colony.
When they go out to fly they do not have great difficulties, since the anthills are in most of the areas where the trees, sand, leaves, clay and earth remain. In these anthills each member has a specific function, in fact they can be seen moving food in portions around for the protection of their colony.
In some cases, some female flying ants can take the place of the queen, if she died or it is also possible to find two queens in a colony, the truth is that each one occupies an important and valid place in these homes.
Eliminate flying ants
If when the winged ant season arrives many of them are observed at home, there are some recommendations that are left below:
- Use a commercial aerosol, with total discharge, which is responsible for forming an insecticide cloud, saturating all the spaces where normal fumigation cannot penetrate, which irritates them and they immediately leave the anthills.
- Acquiring an electric insect zapper, one of those items that are used to kill flies and any other flying insects, also works for flying ants.
- Use the combination and mix of two (2) measures of water, one (1) measure of liquid soap, it can be dishwasher or dishwasher, a few drops of mint, pour it into a spray bottle and spray it on the flying ants.
- Aspartame works more effectively, just by placing them in the ant mounds, it kills them immediately.
- If the affectation is outside the home, a liquid version of the anticide is adequate and then carefully fumigate the entire place.
